Multi-stakeholder Steering Group Members
Ms. Kamala ADHIKARI
Nepal - Treasurer, Forum for Digital Equality (Civil Society)
Ms. Adhikari is the treasurer of the Forum for Digital Equality and the coordinator of Online Child Safety Initiative. She expertise on the online child safety issues and has participated IGF, APrIGF and ICANN meetings and spoke on the child issues as part of the Internet Governance.
Mr. Klée AIKEN
New Zealand - Coordinator, APCEN (Civil Society)
A Chicagoan lost in the Asia-Pacific, Klée is an ex-think tanker exploring the world of Internet Goverance, cyber policy, and capacity building. Formerly with APNIC, he currently works to build strong partnerships and incident response capacity across the Pacific with CERT NZ. Klée is also on the Advisory Board of the GFCE.
Mr. Rohana AKMEEMANA PALLIYAGURU *
Sri Lanka - Executive Director, CySec Consulting (Pvt) Ltd. (Private Sector)
I am the founder of CySec Consulting (Pvt) Ltd and working as its Executive Director. CySec Consulting is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka catering the emerging demand for modern information and communication technology and cybersecurity sector-based services in local and international organizations.
Before establishing CySec Consulting in 2022, I worked as the Chief Operating Officer of Sri Lanka CERT|CC, as a founding member having joined the team at its very inception in 2006.
Mr. Babu Ram ARYAL
Nepal - Founder/Director, Internet Governance Institute (Civil Society)
Babu Ram Aryal, cyber law, cybersecurity, and media law professional, based in Kathmandu. He is the Vice-Chair of Nepal Internet Governance Forum. He is the co-founder and the CEO of Internet Governance Institute (IGI), a dedicated IG grass-root capacity building organization in the Asia Pacific. IGI is established to strengthen IG discourse and capacity at the grass-root level to the Asia Pacific region. He is also the past Vice chair the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum.
Ms. Gunela ASTBRINK
Australia - Chair, ISOC Accessibility Standing Group (Civil Society)
Gunela Astbrink has been active in disability policy, programs and research for 30 years and brings this experience to Internet governance. Gunela has organised workshops and spoken at national, regional and global IGFs as well as participating in NETmundial in Brazil. She is Chair of the global ISOC Accessibility Standing Group and immediate past member of the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG).
Mr. Vashkar BHATTACHARJEE
Bangladesh - Focal Person-Disabilities, YPSA (Young Power in Social Action) (Civil Society)
Vashkar Bhattacharjee, a person with visual disability , working As the National Consultant for Accessibility in the (a2i) Program of ICT Division, Bangladesh Government, Vashkar is involved in creating an enabling environment for innovations to come up for empowering persons with disabilities which are then scaled up and made accessible for all. His current focus is on implementing inclusive university (University of Chittagong), one of the largest and most prominent universities of Bangladesh. Vashkar is also involved with YPSA (Young Power in Social Action), an organization for sustainable development and providing advisory support towards its disability portfolio.
Vashkar is the country representative of G3ict and focal person for DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System), Accessible Books consortium (ABC) of WIPO, Bookshare, Federation of DPO’s Sitakund in Bangladesh and worked as the Vice President of internet society accessibilities standing group. Vashkar has completed Duskin leadership training from Japan and completed his Master’s degree from university of Chittagong. He has also been awarded the ACUMEN Fellowship, APNIC Fellowship, Internet society IGF Ambassador and so on.
Most recently, as a first Bangladeshi, he has received the prestigious UNESCO/Emir Jaber al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah Prize for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (2018/2019). Apart from Diversability D 30 disability impact list honoree 2021 (USA), Henry Viskardi Achievement Award 2017 (USA) and Bangladesh’s honorable Prime Ministers award as a successful person with disability in 2016.
He can be also reached at [[email protected]]
Dr. Lennon CHANG
Australia - Professor, Monash University (Academia)
Dr Lennon Yao-Chung Chang is currently a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Monash University. He is the co-founder and the Vice-Chairman of the Asia Pacific Society of Technology and Society. He is also the co-founder of Cyber Baykin: Myanmar Cyber Security Awareness.
Ms. Joyce CHEN
Australia - Senior Advisor - Strategic Engagement, APNIC (Technical Community)
Joyce Chen is APNIC's Senior Advisor for Strategic Engagement. She represents the organisation to deepen relationships with key stakeholders such as governments, the technical community, and the wider Asia Pacific Internet community. Joyce is also involved in expanding APNIC's capacity development and outreach efforts. She is a member of the global UN IGF MAG and the IGFSA's Executive Committee. Joyce is passionate about Internet access and development, and interdisciplinary partnerships.
Ms. YingChu CHEN
Taiwan - Assistant Research Fellow, Taiwan Institute of Economic Research / Assistant Research Fellow - Individual (Academia)
YingChu Chen is also one of the International Affairs Committee of Taiwan Network Information Center (TWNIC). She participates in the research of best practice forum cybersecurity and the national, regional initiatives working group in UN IGF. She is interested in cybersecurity, compliance, government regulation, and internet policy development. She observes the trends of internet governance issues and the relationship between internet technology, economic development, and diplomacy.
Mr. Sunny CHENDI
Australia - Senior Advisor Policy and Community Development, APNIC (Technical Community)
Srinivas Chendi is APNIC's Senior Advisor for Policy and Community Development and also Liaison Officer for the South Asia region. He is responsible for supporting the APNIC community in the resource Policy Development Process and enhancing the levels of engagement and participation of the members of the community which APNIC serves. He also manages the APNIC Fellowship Program and community sponsorships.
Dr. Yik Chan CHIN
China - Associate Professor, Beijing Normal University (Academia)
Dr. Yik Chan Chin is Associate Professor at the Beijing Normal University. Prior to this, she worked in the University of Nottingham and University of Oxford's School of Law as a research fellow in media and communication regulation and law, as well as in Hong Kong Baptist University and XJTLU. Her areas of research include media and communication policy, governance, and law with special focus on China. Currently, she is working on the projects
Mr. Eun Chang CHOI
South Korea - Director, GP3Korea (Povertyinfo.org), The Global Poverty Public Awareness Project in Korea (GP3Korea) (Civil Society)
Legal scholar focused on information law representing S. Korean IGF in the UN IGF's Regional and National Initiatives. Co-founded the Global Poverty Public Awareness Project (Povertyinfo.org), a nonprofit that disseminate open knowledge about issues affecting global poverty with emphasis on ICT4D, digital inclusion and open data. Previously, a fellow of Yale Information Society Project at Yale Law School and taught at ITU Centres of Excellence and Asia Pacific Internet Governance Academy.
Ms. Amrita CHOUDHURY
India - Director, CCAOI (Civil Society)
Amrita is an active participant in tech policy discussions in India overseas, involved in capacity building, outreach and research. Currently serving as Director of CCAOI, President ISOC Delhi, Vice Chair AprIGF, IGF MAG Member, Vice Chair APRALO, coordination committee of India IGF inSIG. She curates for the GIP advises Youth India IGF. For more details visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrita-choudhury-b0865511?originalSubdomain=in
Mr. Shibendu DEBBARMA
India - Individual, (Technical Community)
He is working as Additional Director, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). He is spreading Internet for every one and its Governance among locality in his area through various activities. He also served as Assistant Professor in Department of Information Technology, Tripura University for 5 years. His teaching and research interests combine data network, IPv6, IoT and Internet Technologies. He has research publications in conference proceedings and in academic journals.
Mr. Supul EDIRISINGHE *
Sri Lanka - Undergraduate, University of Peradeniya (Youth / Students)
I am a Computer Science Undergraduate at University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. I was a fellow at APNIC-54. I am very passionate about cybersecurity, bridging the digital divide and working towards a better internet for everyone.
Mr. Ananda GAUTAM
Nepal - Program and Policy Officer, Internet Governance Institute (Youth / Students)
Mr. Gautam is a Graduate of BSc. (Hons) Networking and IT Security from London Metropolitan University. He is an evidence-based policymaking and civic technologies enthusiast. Mr. Gautam is a very active contributor to Internet Governance in the Asia Pacific Region and he works in the periphery of open data, Internet Governance, Data Analytics, Research, and Rural Technologies deployment.
Mr. Mohammad Abdul HAQUE ANU
Bangladesh - Secretary General, Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (Civil Society)
Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu has spent 30 years of his career playing as a leading role as the Social Industry evangelist for ICT Journalist, IG, e-Commerce, Telecommunication, ISP and ICT Consultancy. He has unique quality of experience and contribution in an inclusive manner in multi-stakeholders of Private Sector, Civil Society, Public Sector, Policy Makers, Academia and Media. He is known as Transformational Leader, Strategic Visionary, Elite Communicator and Change Agent.
Mr. Waqas HASSAN
Pakistan - Assistant Director (Int'l Liaison Training), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) (Government)
Waqas has telecom/ICT regulatory experience of 16 years and contributes actively at the national and global forums such as APrIGF, APSIG, pkSIG, pkIGF, ISOC Pak chapter. He is an expert in internet public policy, stakeholder management and partnerships, advocacy and program development. He is alumni of DIPLO, APrIGF, APSIG, SANOG, CLDP and LIRNEasia. He manages PTA's engagements with ITU, APT, GSMA, SAMENA and global tech companies. Waqas believes in an open, secure and all-inclusive Internet.
Dr. Md. Rakibul HOQUE
Bangladesh - Professor, University of Dhaka (Academia)
Dr. Md. Rakibul Hoque is Professor of Management Information Systems at University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is also Visiting Scholar, School of Business, Emporia State University, USA. His research interests include technology adoption, Big Data, e-Health and ICT4D. Mr. Rakibul has published number of research articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, and has presented papers in international conferences. He had the opportunity to working a number of research projects in Bangladesh, USA, Australia, Japan, China and Saudi Arabia.Dr. Hoque is the member of Association for Information Systems (AIS), UNESCO Open educational Resources Community, Asia eHealth Information Network, SAP University Alliance, Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), IEEE and Internet Society.
Ms. Tayyaba IFTIKHAR
Pakistan - Assistant Director (Public Relations), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) (Government)
An experienced strategic communications professional, Tayyaba is involved in content communications, planning and impact supports engagement with stakeholders on matters related to the public such as online safety, access, connectivity and gender ICT. She holds an MSc. from London School of Economics (LSE) and is currently studying law at the University of London.
Dr. Aris IGNACIO
Philippines - Dean, College of Information Technology, Southville International School and Colleges (Academia)
Aris Ignacio is the Dean of the College of Information Technology at Southville International School and Colleges in the Philippines. He serves as a Board Member and current Vice President for Technology at ISOC Philippines Chapter. An advocate for the youth being a major stakeholder group in Internet Governance discussions has led to facilitating the involvement of university/college students in local, regional and global Internet governance awareness, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr. Fahad IQBAL
Pakistan - Information Security Researcher, PISA-CERT Pakistan (Private Sector)
Mr. Fahad Iqbal, a leading researcher in the field of Cyber Security in Pakistan. A young and energetic individual with a passionate outlook, he has been actively working to engage the youth of Pakistan in realizing their true potential in helping secure the Cyber Frontier of Pakistan. He has been actively engaged and collaborating with law enforcement agencies and has conducted various training sessions with a number of them at various levels. One of his most successful training programs has been “Tracking the Criminals in Cyber Space”. Mr. Fahad is one of the quickest-growing profiles in the professional circles in the realm of cyber security in Pakistan. He has ramped up, and excelled, in organizing Cyber Drills at the National and International levels, engaged in Pakistan Information Security Associations (PISA), Azad Jammu Kashmir IT Board (AJK-ITB), Cyber Secure Alliance Pakistan (CSAP) and Cyber Secure Pakistan (CSP).
Mr. Priyatosh JANA
India - Assistant Professor, Haldia Institute of Technology (Academia)
Priyatosh is an Assistant Professor of Computer Sc. & Engineering(Cyber Security), India and Vice President of membership at ISOC India Kolkata Chapter. His physical participation was in the APSIG, IETF, inSIG, NASIG and IGF Ambassador. He is a member of ALAC to a different Subcommittee WG at ICANN and a past ICANN fellow. His motivation to become a facilitator on IG and Tech based events locally, regionally, globally, particularly in Asia-Pacific. https://icannwiki.org/Priyatosh_Jana
Vasundhra KAUL
India - Researcher, The Bachchao Project (Civil Society)
Vasundhra is interested in exploring ways the law interacts with vulnerable communities— including incarcerated persons, queer and LGBTQIA+ individuals and groups, and religious minorities. They are cautiously optimistic about what the future of the internet will be. They have previously worked on internet shutdowns, effective access to the internet, and open science.
Ms. Nighat Parveen KHAN
Bangladesh - Deputy Manager, Operations, BRAC (Civil Society)
Nighat Parveen Khan is an Operations Lead at an EdTech venture in BRAC. In response to the Covid crisis, she has delved into new avenues of youth employment opportunities by skilling, upskilling, and reskilling in IT skills and affiliating them to STEM careers. She was awarded the APSIG-APrIGF 2022 joint fellowship program, held in Singapore, and won the Best Presenter’s prize at the Flash talk. She looks forward to learning to build internet networks in the high-risk populations of the country, ensure inclusion in her work, and strengthen digital content through internet governance.
Mrs. Deepa KHANAL *
Nepal - Chair, yIGF Nepal (Civil Society)
Bhattarai Deepa is founding member and chairp of youth Internet Governance Forum. She is actively involve in local and regional IGF platform in different version. She was a fellow of APSIG-APrIGF 2022 and APIGA 2019. she has participated in APrIGF 2020 as voluteer for technical support. By profession she works for Nepal Police as IT Officer for 8 years. She hold Master degree in MSc Information System Engineering. She is recently active for youth involvement in IG and teach them about IG ecosystem.
Ms. Gayatri KHANDHADAI
India - Head of Technology and Human Rights, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (Civil Society)
Gayatri Khandhadai is a lawyer with a background in international law and human rights, international and regional human rights mechanisms, research, and advocacy. She previously worked on digital rights and policy in Asia with specific emphasis on freedoms of expression, religion, assembly and association on the internet. Her current focus is private sector accountability in technology and human rights.
Mr. Samik KHAREL
Nepal - Freelancer, (Civil Society)
Samik Kharel is a freelance journalist and writer based in Kathmandu. He has contributed to various national and international media outlets including The Kathmandu Post, The Record, Al Jazeera and DPA among others. He is currently a researcher in new media with an interest in Internet culture and visual culture. Samik has been involved in myriad of things with eclectic mix of interests- working as a journalist, freelance writer, editor and communication consultant and also teaching.
Ms. Ellen KUSUMA
Indonesia - Head of Digital At-Risks Subdivision, SAFEnet (Civil Society)
Her work focuses on the policies relevant to the advocacy of online gender based violence in Indonesia, including but not limited to through documenting and building the knowledge of the issue, developing and designing support mechanisms and knowledge-transfer for the victims, pushing multi-stakeholders collaborations in addressing the issue, and ensuring the accessibility of the topic for the marginalized communities.
Ms. Cherie LAGAKALI
Fiji - Pacific Liaison, Global Forum Cyber Expertise (GFCE) (Technical Community)
Cherie Lagakali is the Pacific Liaison Advisory Board member for the Global Forum Cyber Expertise (GFCE). She is a member of the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG). Cherie engages extensively with the Pacific technical community, is passionate about bringing people together for discussions and is a founding member of Pacific Women in ICT (PICwICT), passionate about introducing more Pacific women to global cyber capacity building and internet governance discussions.
Ms. Cheryl LANGDON-ORR
Australia - Company Director: Internet Australia, a NFP Australian Registered Company, and the Australian ISOC Chapter; Founding Member of the Australian NRI, 'NetThing' active in its MSC, Internet Australia / NetThing (the Australian IGF) (Civil Society)
In a few words, whilst now retired from my primary Corporate role and career, I serve as a Company Director, I am passionate, experienced and have extensive skill sets in Consumer Advocacy, Governance, Public Policy, Internet, Quality Systems and Diversity Matters...
See these URLs for more: https://about.me/cheryl.LangdonOrr https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-langdon-orr https://community.icann.org/m/mobile.action#page/1736742 https://www.facebook.com/CherylLangdonOrr
Ms. Phyo Thiri LWIN
Myanmar - Youth, (Youth / Students)
Ms. Phyo Thiri Lwin is from Myanmar. She graduated from the Yangon University of Economics. She was a fellow of APrIGF 2021. Currently, she is contributing as an Ambassador at NetMission.Asia and as a volunteer in the local youth organization in promoting Internet Governance and in empowering the young people to get involved in Internet Governance activities. Her interests in Internet Governance are diverse.
Ms. Anju MANGAL
Fiji - Regional Head of Asia Pacific, World Wide Web Foundation and Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (Civil Society)
Anju is the Regional Head of Asia Pacific, World Wide Web Foundation. She works on Policies, Regulations, Digital inclusion, digital connectivity, gender and ICT, access, digital transformation. She continues to advocate for marginalised groups particularly to bridge the digital divide. She believes in making the web and internet secure, safe and open for everyone. She's passionate about making a difference in the APAC region.
Mr. MH MASUM
Bangladesh - Marketing Promotion Coordinator, [email protected] Limited (Private Sector)
I am an initiative-taking, purposeful individual, willing to go the extra mile to reach goals and learn along the way. Currently, I am working with the telecommunication industry to enrich my local regional internet activities and innovate innovative technology to raise awareness. Besides, I have been appointed for ICANN 2021 Fellowship. In contrast, I am working to ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet in my local region and engaged with local multistakeholder groups.
Mr. Charles MOK
Hong Kong - Tech for Good Asia, Tech for Good Asia (Civil Society)
Charles is a visiting scholar at the Global Digital Policy Incubator of the Cyber Policy Center at Stanford University. He is also the founder of Tech for Good Asia, a regional initiative advocating socially beneficial application of technologies. He was elected to the Legislative Council in the Hong Kong, representing the IT sector, for two terms from 2012 to 2020. He co-founded HKNet in 1994, one of the earliest ISPs in Asia, and the founding chair of the Internet Society Hong Kong.
Mr. Milan Raj NEPALI
Nepal - Vice President, Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (Civil Society)
Milan Raj Nepali is Vice President at Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation. Mr. Nepali has 10+ years of experience working with Government of Nepal in e-government implementation and IT planning and management. He served as IT Officer at Ministry of Finance, Insurance Regulatory Authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Examination Board, Ministry of Education. Skilled in IT Strategy Planning, Data Centre, Network Administration, Information Security Project Management.
Ms. Jessie NGUYEN
Vietnam - (Youth / Students)
I am Jessie Nguyen, from Vietnam. I am now studying Master program in the major of NGOs (Non-governmental organizations) studies at Chonnam National University in South Korea. I have many years of experience in engaging and empowering women, children and the elderly in the Mekong Delta River in Vietnam advocating their rights in projects of some International NGOs in Vietnam such as Save the Children, Care International, VVOB Flemish Association, etc. My current research interest is about technology for elder people and married-migrant women, especially Vietnamese women’s rights in Korea. Therefore, my topic of interests in APSIG and APrIGF 2022 are the issues of Internet inclusivity, which discuss about equal opportunities, universal access and digital rights, digital literacy education to all people including the elderly and marriage migrants.
Mr. Allen P ALEX
India - Legal Associate, (Civil Society)
I am an advocate and a post-graduate in law specializing in International Trade Law currently working as a Legal Associate at TPM Consultants, New Delhi. I am particularly fascinated about Right to Privacy and Freedom of Expression, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, and AI.
Mr. Raymond de Vera PALATINO
Philippines - Freelance Writer / Blogger (Press / Media)
Mong Palatino is a Filipino activist, blogger and former legislator. He is the Philippines’ first elected youth representative from 2009 to 2013. He joined the citizen media community of Global Voices in 2006 and became its Southeast Asia editor in 2008. As a blogger, his writings have been published by The Diplomat, Bulatlat, Pinoy Weekly, Tinig.com, UPI Asia, and IFEX. His Twitter account is @mongster
Mr. Shah Zahidur RAHMAN
Bangladesh - Head of Business Strategy and Development, Eyhost Ltd (Technical Community)
Shah is currently Executive Committee Member of Asia Pacific School on Internet Governance (APSIG) .Shah volunteers for the Asia-Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) MSG since 2019. He is currently the Program committee for third year running and first year of Stakeholder Engagement committee. He has previously served on the drafting committee for APrIGF. He is also a member of the APSIG program committee. Shah is an alumni of fellowship program at APrIGF, APSIG, ICANN, IETF, APAN
Dr. Gnanajeyaraman RAJARAM
India - Professor, SBM College of Engineering and Technology (Academia)
I hold a PhD in Computer Science and Engg. with a Work experience as Professor for more than 16 years. My area of specialization is Network security and published 45 research articles in various journals and research proceedings. I am also a fellow of APSIG , inSIG, bdSiG, and IETF...
Mr. Vivek RANA
Nepal - Principal consultant, InfoAssure LLP (Private Sector)
Vivek Rana is the principal consultant for InfoAssure LLP Nepal working in the areas of Cyber-security, Enterprise Architecture, Governance, Risk and Compliance assurance and IS assurances. He is certified Enterprise Architect specializing in stakeholder engagement and Governance of Enterprise IT. In the past he led Nepal Internet Users' Group (NIUG) – first Internet related NGO in Nepal (1997) to on board organizations to embark Internet technologies.
Ms. Yohani RANASINGHE
Sri Lanka - Lecturer, University of Colombo School of Computing (Academia)
I am Yohani from Sri Lanka, currently working as a lecturer at the University of Colombo School of Computing. I started my Internet Governance journey in 2017 and am very much interested in building inclusive Internet for all. I am specifically would like to work on digital education.
Ms. Amasha RATHNAYAKE
Sri Lanka - Demonstrator/Instructor, University Of Sri Jayewardenepura (Academia)
I am a Graduate From University Of Sri Jayewardenepura Specialized in Information and Communication Technology. I did my training in Information and Communication Technology Agency which is the national institute in Sri Lanka who is prioritized in Digital Transformations. I worked there engaging with number of projects for a one and half year. Now I work as a Junior project Manager at Axiata Digital Labs in Sri Lanka and also work as a Demonstrator in University Of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Ms. Swaran RAVINDRA
Fiji - Academic, Fiji National University (Academia)
Swaran is involved in the training of industry and academic programs, industry consultancy and research in ICT related areas at Fiji National University- National Training and Productivity Centre. She has over 15 years of work experience including substantial international experience with partnering universities such as University of West Indies where she served as an exchange lecturer for undergraduate and post graduate programs in ICT, research on Assistive Technology, program creation for Pos
Mr. Shreedeep RAYAMAJHI
Nepal - Ict4D consultant, Rayznews (Civil Society)
Shreedeep is a career journalist turned into a techno policy and communication researcher. He is Diplo foundation (IGCBP09) alumina who has been featured on BBC Outriders and the World Bank's Provocative Voices. He is one of the Founders of the Learn Internet Governance (Learn IG) initiative.
Mr. Winston ROBERTS
New Zealand - Senior Advisor, IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) (Civil Society)
Winston Roberts is Chair of the Asia-Oceania Regional Division Committee of IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations), a civil society peak body. He works in the Office of the National Librarian, at the National Library of New Zealand, advising on the Library's international stakeholder relations. He was the lead NZ delegate to the WSIS in 2003 and to WSIS II in Tunis (2005) which established processes for Internet governance. He has been active in APrIGF since 2013.
Mr. Bikram SHRESTHA
Nepal - President, Nepal Internet Foundation (Civil Society)
Mr. Bikram has more than 20+ years of experience in the ICT industries. He had established a startup ISP when he was just 19 years and has been dedicating to the community since then. Mr. Shrestha is the founder and past president of the Internet Society Nepal. Currently, he is the President of Nepal Internet Foundation, Vice-Chair of Nepal Internet Governance Forum (Nepal IGF), Co-Chair of Cooperation SIG of APNIC. Professionally, he is working as Head of Digital Banking at the Sanima Bank Ltd.
Mr. Santosh SIGDEL
Nepal - Founding Chair, Digital Rights Nepal (Civil Society)
Santosh Sigdel is human rights lawyer from Nepal, who has been working on issue of internet freedom and digital rights. He was associated with the Internet Society Nepal for more than one decade and served in different capacities, including the chair of the Chapter. Mr. Sigdel is founder member of the Nepal IGF MSG, member of APRIGF and APSIG. Mr. Sigdel founded Digital Rights Nepal, a non-profit initiative, www.digitalrightsnepal.org for the promotion and protection of digital rights.
Mr. Rajnesh SINGH
Australia - Regional Vice President, Asia-Pacific, Internet Society (ISOC) (Technical Community)
Singh works with stakeholders including governments, civil society the private sector to promote technologies, policies best practices to keep the Internet open, secure available for the benefit of people across the world. Has played founding leading roles in technology private equity firms with extensive experience in business management strategy across multiple industries. Has held several Internet leadership roles including Past Chair of APrIGF Founding Chair of APRALO.
Mr. Bibek SILWAL
Nepal - (Youth / Students)
Mr. Silwal is currently pursuing MicroMasters® in Data Science and Statistics from One League in collaboration with the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. He has been actively contributing to National and Regional Internet Governance Fora emphasizing bringing more youths as stakeholders to the multi-stakeholder model of Internet Governance. He seeks to contribute and advocate for the field of data-driven Internet governance frameworks.
Ms. Daria STEPOVAYA
Russia - PhD student, The International Information Security School (Youth / Students)
I am a Postgraduate student at Lomonosov Moscow State University at the Faculty of Global Studies. Last year, I just started my path in Internet Governance. My interest in the topic was fuelled after I was accepted and successfully finished a summer school on Internet Governance organized by Coordination Center for TLD RU/РФ. After that, I've become a member of the Executive Directorate at the International Information Security School at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Moreover, I've become NetMission Ambassador after I've successfully finished NetMission Academy as 10 most active participants. Last but not least, I am this year APrIGF fellow.
Ms. Sarai TEVITA *
Samoa - ICT Director, National University of Samoa (Academia)
Currently the ICT Director for National University of Samoa that oversee the infrastructure of technical operations, manage a team of IT people, track technology in order to minimize security risks, increase user satisfaction and achieve operations and business goals. I accomplished and diversely experienced information technology professional with extensive experience in network infrastructure, cybersecurity, information management, hardware and software systems and project management.
Ms. Kadesiree THOSSAPHONPAISAN
Thailand - (Civil Society)
Kadesiree Thossaphonpaisan is an independent researcher and a trained journalist. She has been working in the field of media and human rights in the Mekong region for over five years. Currently, she is interested in digital anthropology, online social movements, freedom of information and freedom of expression.
Mr. Ashirwad TRIPATHY
Nepal - President, Educating Nepal (Civil Society)
Co-Founder/President of Educating Nepal, an NGO working to bridge socio-economic and digital divides by empowering underprivileged communities to fulfil SDGs especially in the sector of education, health, environment and social justice with youth impelled innovative development models
Mr. Mohammad Kawsar UDDIN
Bangladesh - General Secretary, Internet Society Bangladesh Chapter (Press / Media)
Mr. Kawsar has been in the ICT industry since 1999 and well known in Bangladesh as an ICT journalist. He is one of the founding members of the Internet Society Bangladesh Chapter. He is one of the Board members of Technology Media Guild Bangladesh (TMGB) and Bangladesh Network Operators Group (bdNOG). Also the Member of Wikimedia Bangladesh and Fellow of IGF Academy. Though he is a journalist, he actively involved in the Internet Community of Bangladesh.
Dr. Nirosha WEDASINGHE
Sri Lanka - Senior Lecturer, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (Academia)
Dr. Nirosha Wedasinghe had been acquired her first degree in Computing and Information Systems from London Metropolitan University in UK in 2005, and her masters from Charles Sturt University Australia in 2008. Dr. Wedasinghe has obtained her PhD in Information Systems.She pursued her PhD research in Disability Digital Divide and she is interested in Management Information Systems, Data Science and E-Governance research. She is a a active member of Computer Society of Sri Lanka, IEEE .
Mr. Kasun Tharaka WICKRAMASURIYA
Sri Lanka - Senior Manager, Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) / Lanka School on Internet Governance (LKSIG) (Government)
Kasun Tharaka Wickramasuriya is a Senior Manager, Capacity Building at the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) and the former Secretary of the Internet Society Sri Lanka Chapter. He is a highly competent ICT professional, transformation strategist, and community development expert with extensive experience in the ICT sector. He is having over 12 years of experience in the corporate and public sectors and has proven skills in Capacity Building, Digital Transformation, Digital Adoption & Inclusion, Internet Governance, Digital Economic Development, Community Development, Change Management, and Policy Development. He is one of the Co-Founder of Lanka School on Internet Governance (LKSIG) and a member of CSSL, IMSL, HISSL, and Sakura Science Club Japan. For more details visit : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasun-tw/
Mr. ahmad zia YOUSUFI
Afghanistan - Full stack developer, Internet Society of Afghanistan (Technical Community)
I am a fellow of APrIGF and APSIG 2021, I have been involved with Internet Society and Internet governance-related events since 2017. I am an active member of the Internet society of Afghanistan and co-coordinator of youth IGF Afghanistan. As an organizer, I had serval leading roles in IGF related events in Afghanistan, I am also part of other tech communities like Google Developers Group - Kabul
APrIGF MSG Observers
Mr. Chiranjibi ADHIKARI
Nepal - President, NPCERT (Technical Community)
I am Chiranjibi Adhikari from Nepal. I have completed Masters in Information Technology. I am the Board Member of Internet Society Nepal Chapter and contribute the different community Activities. For more Details: LinkedIn.com/in/chiranjibiadhikari
Mr. Suraj ADHIKARI
Nepal - Director, (Private Sector)
Mr. Suraj Adhikari from the kingdom of Nepal, a Himalayan nation in South Asia is one of the key operational initiator of web and domain services in Nepal. He has extensively contributed especially to Nepalese Traditional Mass Media to make them online via new internet medium. By profession, Suraj has joined Mercantile Communications in 1999, a private organization and the very first Internet Service Provider company in Nepal, where he has fulfilled different roles ie. domain registry manager
Prof. Peng Hwa ANG
Singapore - Professor, Nanyang Technological University (Academia)
Professor Peng Hwa Ang teaches and researches Internet law and policy at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He was a member of the Working Group on Internet Governance and a co-founder of the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum.
Mr. Tanka Raj ARYAL
Nepal - General Secretary, Digital Rights Nepal (Civil Society)
I am a Founder and General Secretary of Digital Rights Nepal and a practicing lawyer at the Supreme Court of Nepal. I have been continuously engaged to promote digital rights, internet freedom, the right to information, freedom of expression, and civic space nationally for the last 15 years being associated with a number of civil society organizations. I hold LLM degrees in International Human Rights Laws from Kathmandu School of Law and Central European University Hungary.
Ms. Cho Thazin AUNG
Myanmar - Asia Administrative Associate, Association for Progressive Communications (Civil Society)
Cho is a young community-focused Burmese Muslim woman based in Myanmar who works on empowering Myanmar people to use digital technologies in a safe and inclusive way. She has given numerous training and workshops to youths, human rights defenders, and civil society across Myanmar on digital security, and digital literacy. She has also conducted online and offline campaigns to provide digital literacy resources to people in Myanmar.
Mr. Fouad BAJWA
Pakistan - Co-founder, Digital Dera (Private Sector)
Fouad Bajwa has been actively engaged in ICT and Internet Public Policy related issues and advocacy for over a decade. He has been an entrepreneur, a social enterprise manager, an academic and researcher. His civil society and advocacy group regularly engages with Internet policy makers through face-to-face and media interventions that has facilitated the evolution of pluralism and dissent online. He was a participant in the WSIS process and a Member of the MAG of the Internet Governance Forum.
Melody BENDINDANG
Australia - External Relations Manager, APNIC (Technical Community)
Melody is currently the External Relations Program Manager at Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC). She leads the External Relations Program that engages with APNIC's wide range of multistakeholders, projects and economies. She is the driving force behind the coordination and deployment of APNIC staff to the entire Asia Pacific region. Melody brings with her almost a decade of experience working with diverse communities in facilitating positive change.
Ms. Debora Irene CHRISTINE
Indonesia - Researcher, United Nations University Institute in Macau (Academia)
Debora is a researcher focusing on issues in the intersection between media, communication, digital technology, and development. Her research addresses the detrimental consequences of the data and the digital divides, particularly for participation in decision-making, inclusion in development processes, and experience of privacy and security. Debora's academic background is in media, communication, and development.
Ms. Brinda DASH
India - Sr. Associate, Growth team, Haqdarshak (Civil Society)
Brinda is working in an organisation focused on social impact, whose vision is to ensure last-mile welfare service delivery by leveraging the power of technology. Prior to this, she was teaching students from low-income communities where she was exposed to the stark digital gender divide prevalent in India. Through collaborations in the IG space, she wishes to contribute in creating a safe, inclusive, trustworthy, strong and resilient internet via a multistakeholder approach.
Ms. Maureen HILYARD
Cook Islands - Development Consultant, DC-SIDS (Civil Society)
Founding Member of DC-SIDS Pacific and member of the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society. Chair of the ALAC of ICANN. Interested in internet governance as well as the use of technology for environmental issues impacting SIDS including climate change.
Mr. Pablo HINOJOSA
Australia - Strategic Engagement Director, APNIC (Technical Community)
Pablo Hinojosa is an expert in Internet governance with 20 years of experience in both Latin America and the Asia-Pacific regions. He is currently Strategic Engagement Director at APNIC, the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre. He represents the organisation at a senior level with governments, key intergovernmental and treaty organisations, and other key stakeholders. Previous to joining APNIC, he was Regional Relations Manager at ICANN. In this role, he worked with the Latin American Intern
Mr. Md Jahangir HOSSAIN
Bangladesh - Member of Board of Trustee, Internet Society Bangladesh (Technical Community)
I'm the founding member and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustee Internet Society (ISOC) Bangladesh. I'm also a fellow alumni member of SANOG, ISOC, APrIGF, APNIC, APSIG, ICANN, UNIGF, and an active member of the IG community and expertise in analysis on Critical Internet Resources, Internet Governance Principle, CyberSecurity, Industry 4.0 Community empowerment. Currently, I'm based in Dhaka, Bangladesh where professionally work as a Deputy Executive Director, in Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC.
Mr. Hiro HOTTA
Japan - Board Member and Sr. EVP, JPRS (Technical Community)
Board Member and Senior EVP of JPRS, .JP ccTLD Registry, since 2001. He is responsible for corporate planning and administration of JPRS. He has actively participated and lead discussions in ICANN as a ccNSO Councilor. He is also known as his speciality in IDN and has been active in various Working Groups and Committees of ICANN. He was an awardee of ICANN Multistakeholder Ethos Award in 2017.
Mr. KAUNG Sat Naing
Myanmar - Rights Defender, Maubin Technological University (Youth / Student)
As I am a student and rights activist, I will defend every rights as much as I can. I am from Myanmar, studying Electrical Power engineering. Although my specialization is engineer, my actions are focusing on Rights and media freedom.
Ms. shubha KAYASTHA
Nepal - Executive Director, Body Data (Civil Society)
Shubha is co-founder and Executive Director of a digital rights organisation Body Data. She is a feminist activist who works in the intersection of gender, sexuality and technology. She is passionate about bringing feminist lens in the work around freedom of expression and sexual expression, data privacy and digital security.
Mr. Maheeshwara KIRINDIGODA
Sri Lanka - Coordinator, IG Sri Lanka Initiative (Civil Society)
As the President of Internet Society he initiated the IoT Sri Lanka initiative to discuss the need on IoT Governance within Sri Lanka. Maheeshwara had initiated the Internet Governance in Sri Lanka by forming the Internet Governance Forum and the School on Internet Governance. He is the National Coordinator for Global Internet Governance Forum , School on Internet Governance and Founder and Coordinator of IG Sri Lanka Initiative
Mr. Naveen Karaparambil LAKSHMAN
India - Solutions Architect, Graphite Networks (Technical Community)
Naveen is a Solutions Architect at Graphite Networks, India. His expertise includes planning, designing, and implementation of IPv6, SD-WAN, SDN solutions for Enterprise, Service Providers customers. He is an active participant in SANOG, APRICOT, INNOG, APNIC, IETF, IGF.
Dr. Yong LIU
China - Associate Research Fellow, Hebei Academy of Social Sciences (Academia)
I am an Associate Research Fellow at the Hebei Academy of Social Sciences(河北省社会科学院) in China. I received my Ph.D. in Law from the China University of Political Science and Law(中国政法大学) in 2014. My current research interests focus on internet law, internet governance and intellectual property. I have published several books and papers in the field of internet law and copyright law. I am interviewed regularly by local and national media outlets to provide legal perspective on current events.
Mr. Jia-Rong LOW
Singapore - Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, ICANN (Technical Community)
An international executive with Foreign Service credentials, Jia-Rong Low joined ICANN in August of 2013 and is now the Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director - Asia Pacific. Stationed in Singapore, Jia-Rong leads the teams at the APAC Regional Office, overseeing the expansion of ICANN's operations in the region. Jia-Rong works with key stakeholders to bring ICANN to the region, and facilitate stakeholders to participate in multistakeholder internet governance.
Ms. Qurra Tul Ain NISAR
Pakistan - Student, (Youth / Students)
I'm Qurra Tul Ain Nisar from Pakistan. I'm currently studying Shariah and Law from International Islamic University, Islamabad. I intend to study Cyber Laws in upcomming year and develop my approach to achieving digital stability while learning from this dynamic community.
Ms. Hamna NOOR
Pakistan - Centre for Quantum Technologies, NUS (Youth / Students)
I am an electrical engineer by profession and have graduated from the National Universty of Computer and Emerging Sciences. I plan on doing masters in cyber security. I was APSIG 2021, APNIC 2022, and yIGF 2022 fellow and I look forward to sharing my experience with everyone.
Ms. Mary Rose OFIANGA
Philippines - Sr. Project Manager, Edukasyon.ph (Private Sector)
Rose is passionate about innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and personal development. She believes in the power of technology and its capacity to unleash one's unlimited potential and economic development. Because of this, digital literacy is one of her great advocacies. Rose finds pleasure in connecting with like-minded folks. She's been organizing community events, training/workshops on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Ms. Karishma PARAJULI
Nepal - Student, ISMT College (Youth / Students)
Hello, and Namaste! My name is Karishma Parajuli, and I'm from Kathmandu, Nepal. I'm currently enrolled in ISMT (International School of Management Technology) College, where I'm pursuing my bachelor's degree. The APrIGF serves as the hub for a global gathering of youth leaders and internet experts, allowing you to broaden your social network while also learning about and appreciating other cultures.
Mr. Ram Krishna PARIYAR
Nepal - Associate Vice President, Subisu Cablenet Ltd (Technical Community)
This is Ram Krishna Pariyar ICANN SSR2 (Security , Stability and Resiliency for Domain Name System) Review Team Member (https://community.icann.org/display/SSR/Composition+of+Review+Team). MANRS Policy Ambassadors(https://www.manrs.org/ambassadors-program/ambassadors/meet-the-2021-ambassadors/) for
Mr. Niranjan PATEL
Nepal - Operations Manager, Top Nepal International Pvt Ltd (Private Sector)
I am a Digital Marketing specialist Working with the world's Top Marketing Companies, Advertising Companies, Digital publishers, Affiliate Marketing Companies as well as CPA Marketing Companies in collaboration with Nepal’s Top Digital Media Agency Top Nepal International Pvt Ltd and Computing Castle Lda based on Portugal. I also work as a freelancer fro different countries.
Mr. AHM Bazlur RAHMAN
Bangladesh - Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication/ Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (Civil Society)
AHM Bazlur Rahman has been involved with IGF since 2006. He is co-founder of Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum since 2006. He was a strategy council member of the UN Global Alliance for ICTs and Development. He has been at high level ministerial panels at the UN WSIS Forum, UN CSTD and UNESCO. He is one of the winner of WSIS prize 2016 and Champion 2017, 2019, 2020 2021 for promoting media development ICT4D.
Mr. K Mohan RAIDU
India - President, ISoc India Hyderabad Chapter (Technical Community)
K Mohan Raidu is the CEO of Informatics India, a Software Development Company at Hyderabad, India. He is a Member of ICC Digital Economy Commission and its ExecComm. Mr.Raidu is the President of Internet Society Hyderabad Chapter and ISoc ChAC SG Member from AP Region.
Ms. Chat Garcia RAMILO
Australia - Executive Director, Association for Progressive Communications (Civil Society)
Chat has over 25 years of organisational, management and gender experience leading multi-country and multi-disciplinary projects, programmes and networks on ICT, human rights and development. She was appointed APC's ED in 2017. Through APC, Chat has been involved in internet governance since the WSIS process.
Pritika REDDY
Fiji - Lecturer, Fiji National University (Academia)
Pritika is a lecturer in the Department of Computing Science and Information Systems at the Fiji National University. While contributing her responsibilities as an academic and a researcher, Pritika is also pursuing her PhD studies at the University of the South Pacific (USP). Currently, She holds a Master’s Degree in Information Systems from USP and has also published her research work. Pritika is very passionate about her research in distance and flexible learning and digital literacy
Mr. Mubashir SARGANA
Pakistan - Consultant, (Civil Society)
Mubashir Sargana is a Cyber Security Professional and an Internet Public Policy Researcher. He has got sufficient knowledge and grip on local cross-border Cyber Security matters, including those involving privacy violations data breaches. He has led number of local and international initiatives and he is having particular experience of Internet Governance capacity building and its related initiatives across the region.
Dr. Muhammad SHABBIR
Pakistan - NA, (Academia)
I am policy researcher by profession and hold PhD degree in International Relations. My international and national level work in different capacities includes organizations and forums as ISOC, ICANN, ITU, IGF as well as APSIG, MEAC-SIG and PKSIG. I aim to help make the Internet more accessible and inclusive for all particularly for persons with disabilities so that they can use and benefit from its benefits equally, at the same time and without extra cost to them. Connect at Twitter @mshabirawan
Mr. Lokendra SHARMA *
India - PhD Scholar, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru (Academia)
Lokendra is a PhD scholar at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru. His current research is on cyberspace/cybersecurity. He is fascinated by the Internet, a complex socio-technical system that is ingenious as well as chaotic. He is deeply interested in Internet governance from a scholarly point of view. Usually, he is excited to know about socio-political aspects of any technical system/issue.
Mr. Hempal SHRESTHA
Nepal - IT and Legal Advisor, (Civil Society)
Hempal Shrestha is an Interdisciplinary Consulting Researcher with over 20 years of experience specializing in comprehensive issues of ICTs associated with technology, innovation, and development (ICT4D); training and capacity development; people, process, and change management; legal and policy formulation; and IT strategies. Currently, he is consulting with multiple organizations at national, regional and international levels across different verticals.
Mr. Prabesh SUBEDI
Nepal - President, Digital Media Foundation, Nepal (Civil Society)
Prabesh Subedi is a New Media Journalist, Researcher and Internet Freedom Activist from Nepal. He is the president of Digital Media Foundation, a not-for-profit organization based in Kathmandu. He also leads Media Chautari as a director. His expertise includes freedom of expression on the Internet, online journalism and social media. In 2017, he was one of the signatories to initiate national IGF in Nepal. Since than he has been contributing IGF events in national, regional and global level.
Mr. Mohamad Afiq Ammar TULOS
Malaysia - Deputy Director, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (Government)
Attached to the Numbering and Electronic Addressing Management Department in MCMC, I am in-charge of matters related to domain names development and regulation. I am also responsible in policy matters related to digital signature licensing. Interested in Internet Governance especially in promoting digital inclusion.
Mr. Savenaca Siwatibau WAQA
Fiji - IT Project Manager, (Government)
IT Professional for 22 yrs, Law Enforcement Officer for 15 yrs, and 14 yrs in the field of IT Investigation and Digital Forensics. I am passionate about the possibility and the opportunity presented by Technology. Have been an active advocate of Internet Governance and Safer Internet Space with Digital Gender base equality. Continually striving towards education and promotion of Digital Technology as a way forward.
Mr. Xiaobo YANG
China - Researcher, Fuxi Institution (Civil Society)
Xiaobo YANG is Researcher Director of Policy Research at Fuxi Institution. Prior to this, he worked at the Cyber Security Association of China as the Head of International and Research Affairs, as well as the Director of HAC Coordinator's Office of World Internet Conference. His research interests include data security, data governance, privacy personal information protection, cross-border of data, AI security, etc. He holds a master's degree in Cyber Law Internet Governance (BUPT).